The Right Way to Recommend Dishes: A Guide for Restaurant Staff

Ever had a guest stare at the menu puzzled? Or someone who just asks, “What’s good here?” without giving much to work with? That’s when you have to step in and make menu suggestions!

A good menu suggestion helps guests decide, enhancing their dining experience and building trust. Ultimately, it can increase your revenue. A well-thought-out suggestion can turn a first-time visitor into a regular. 

So, how do you make spot-on menu suggestions? Here’s a complete guide.

What Is Menu Recommendation and Why Does It Matter?

Some guests know exactly what they want. But some need a little nudge in the right direction. That’s where they need a good recommendation. Menu suggestions might seem like just listing the best-selling dishes, but you have to help guests find something they’ll genuinely enjoy. It’s a mix of understanding their preferences, considering the occasion like holidays, and sometimes even adding your personal favorites. 

Here’s why it matters:

• When guests love what they order, they leave satisfied and trust your judgment.
• A great recommendation can lead to a bigger bill. But it feels natural, not pushy.
• When guests feel like you really care about their experience, they’re more likely to come back.
• Your guests might leave positive restaurant reviews, make your recommended dish popular, and attract more customers.

10 Ways to Recommend Dishes

When you recommend menu suggestions, you create great moments for your restaurant guests. Here’s how you can suggest dishes to your guests:

1. Get a Curated Recommendation List by Your Executive Chef

Ask your executive chef to curate 8 to 12 dishes that highlight the strengths of your quick service restaurant while ensuring smooth restaurant operations. Here’s how to create the perfect recommendation list to make it easier for restaurant staff to guide guests confidently:

• Select dishes that are high quality, cost-effective, and popular.
• Exclude items with fluctuating ingredient costs or complicated preparation.
• Have a mix of appetizers, mains, and desserts for well-rounded suggestions.
• Ensure every server tastes these dishes so they can describe them with confidence.

A restaurant POS system’s menu management features can help customize your QSR menu in real-time. As a result, your staff can always recommend available and profitable dishes. It also improves POS analytics. So, you’ll know what’s working!

2. Recommend What You Personally Love

Guests can tell when menu suggestions are genuine! So, do not “recite” the menu. Instead, suggest dishes you personally love. Passion sells. So, if you’re excited about a dish, your guests are likely to be too.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Regular menu tastings allow you to describe flavors and textures accurately
• Avoid generic phrases like “everything is good.” Instead, explain why a dish is great.
• Mention key ingredients, textures, and what makes the dish special.

You can say:

• “I absolutely love the truffle risotto. The earthy truffle with creamy parmesan is just perfect.”
• “The spinach and ricotta cannelloni is my go-to. It’s rich, cheesy, and baked to perfection.”
• “I always recommend the pesto gnocchi: light, fluffy potato dumplings in a fresh basil sauce. So comforting!”

3. Highlight Unique or Comforting Dishes

Some guests love bold, exciting flavors. But some just want a cozy, familiar meal. Your job is to guide them to a dish that feels just right.

• Unique dishes stand out because of their flavors, ingredients, or cooking techniques, such as saffron-infused risotto or truffle mushroom pasta.
• Comforting dishes bring warmth and nostalgia, such as a creamy tomato basil soup with garlic bread or a classic vegetable lasagna.

Here’s how to talk about such dishes:

• “Our wild mushroom risotto is creamy, rich, and packed with deep, earthy flavors.”
• “If you love homestyle flavors, the stuffed bell peppers with quinoa and feta are a must-try!”

4. Ask About Preferences

Not all guests will immediately know what they want. A little prompting can go a long way in helping them decide. Just ask the right questions:

• “Do you prefer vegetarian, vegan, or something with cheese?”

This helps determine dietary preferences and restrictions.

• “Are you in the mood for something hearty or light?”

This determines portion size and meal type (comforting vs. refreshing).

• “Do you enjoy creamy or tangy flavors more?”

This helps suggest sauces or dressings.

• “Do you have any allergies or ingredients you don’t like?”

This prevents offering something they can’t eat.

• “Are you craving something spicy or mild?”

This narrows down dishes based on spice tolerance.

• “Would you like something classic or a little adventurous?”

This helps tailor suggestions to their comfort level.

• “How do you feel about mushrooms, olives, or tofu?”

This checks for specific ingredient preferences.

What if your guests are still unsure? Just rule out what they don’t want to make choosing easier!

5. Do Not Be Pushy to Sell Costly Items

If guests sense you're only recommending high-priced dishes, it can come across as insincere. They might hesitate to trust your suggestions. Instead, focus on dishes that deliver great taste and value. Consequently, guests can enjoy their meal and return for more.

At the same time, don’t hesitate to suggest mid-range options that enhance the dining experience without significantly raising the bill. Offer mix-and-match options or small upgrades so that guests can customize their meal without feeling like they're being upsold. Here’s how:

• “The pesto pasta is a fantastic choice. But if you're in the mood for something extra special, the truffle version is a great upgrade!”
• “You might enjoy our seasonal tasting platter. It lets you try a little bit of everything at a great value.”

6. Suggest Three Entree Options

Too many choices can overwhelm guests, so offer three well-balanced entrée options to simplify their decision. Provide variety: one light, one hearty, and one unique. For example:

• Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steak – Smoky, juicy, and served with garlic butter mash
• Pesto Gnocchi – Pillowy potato gnocchi in a creamy basil pesto sauce
• Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers – Peppers filled with quinoa, olives, and feta, baked to perfection

Here’s what you can say:

• “Here are three dishes that never get sent back…”
• “Our best-selling entrées are…”

You can also create, manage, and suggest a combo deal using your QSR POS for added value.

7. Offer Alternatives If Needed

Not every guest will say yes when you first recommend a dish. And that’s okay! Do not leave them hanging. Have a backup plan. Choose alternatives based on:

• Similar flavors or textures
• Dietary preferences
• Cooking style

Here are phrases you can use:

• “If you’re not into risotto, the truffle pasta is just as creamy and delicious!”
• “No worries! How about the stuffed bell peppers instead?”
• “If you prefer something lighter, the quinoa salad is a great pick.”

8. Always Use Dish Names & Descriptions

Want to make the dish sound irresistible? Don’t just mention the dish name. Instead, describe it using mouthwatering words. Bring out the flavors, textures, and ingredients. This way, you can turn things around and ensure the guest leaves happy.

Here are three ways to do it right:

• “The spinach and ricotta ravioli, handmade pasta filled with creamy ricotta, served in a light basil tomato sauce that’s both fresh and comforting.”
• “Our truffle mushroom risotto, rich, creamy Arborio rice slow-cooked to perfection, infused with earthy truffle oil, and topped with parmesan shavings.”
• “For dessert, don’t miss our classic tiramisu, layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, velvety mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa for the perfect sweet finish.”

9. Remember Returning Customers & Their Preferences

Ever had a guest light up because you remembered their last order? This small gesture makes a big impact. If a customer loved the pumpkin risotto last time, you could say, “You really enjoyed the pumpkin risotto. Would you like to try our butternut squash ravioli today? It has that same rich, comforting flavor!”

A restaurant POS system manages and tracks customer orders without manual errors. The next time a regular walks in, you can quickly check their favorite dishes and make personalized menu suggestions. 

10. Suggest Similar Dishes When a Guest’s Request Isn’t Available

Guests get disappointed when their favorite dish isn’t available. But you can make a thoughtful suggestion to turn things around. Don’t just say, “We don’t have that.” Here's how to offer a similar alternative with enthusiasm. Here’s how:

• “Unfortunately, we’re out of that today. But you might love our stuffed bell peppers. It has a similar hearty and flavorful filling!”
• “We’re out of that dish. But the chef recommends our herbed risotto. It has a wonderful depth of flavor.”
• “That’s a fantastic choice! It’s unavailable today. But the roasted vegetable lasagna is another guest favorite.”

This way, you can turn things around, deal with the customer, and make them happy. 

But honestly, wouldn’t it be even better to avoid the situation altogether? A reliable handheld POS system tracks inventory in real-time, ensuring you always know what’s available.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, when you recommend menu dishes, you want to enhance the guest experience, not just sell food. Whether it’s suggesting a chef’s signature dish, offering personal favorites, or guiding guests based on their preferences, there’s no single right way to do it. The best approach? A combination of these methods tailored to each guest.

Want to make menu suggestions easier? OneHubPOS can help! With detailed menu insights, customer preferences, and sales data at your fingertips, you can recommend menu dishes in an effortlessly informed way. To know more, book a demo today!

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